The evening world., 1887-11-02
MR.. DUGGETTs INVESTIGATION.
No Vouchers ON File and n Deficit in jar.
vis,s Accounts Discovered.

No Vouchers ON File and q Deficit In Jar
vis's Accounts Discovered.
William ]. Duggett, who is an occasional
assistant in the Office of the Commissioners of
Accounts, made his examination Of the
books in the office of Clerk Jarvis in Sep
TENDER, his researches extending back to
Jan. /, 1886. His report was submitted to
Mayor Hewitt, Oct. 4, and the mildest re-
mark to be made about it is that 1t shows q
chaotic state of things in the bookkeeping
of Clerk Jarvis and his assistants.
There are two distinct departments under
supervision Of Mr.. Jarvis-the naturalization
ton of ordinary business with the Court of
Common Pleas. In the former department
many glazing irregularities were found.
WHAT BECAME OF THE FEEs2
The report shows that in hundreds of cases
of naturalization the fees had not been an
tered on the books, or only o part of the sum
prescribed by law had been credited.
In no month between january, 1886, and
Comptroller tally with the fees colleotible
according to the certificates filed in the
office. In every month but November last
there was a deficiency. There was an excess
IN that month; caused, as Mr.: Jarvis says, by
tons, which establish naturalization bureaus
each year and pay for the naturalization of
all persons who apply to them had de-
posted $3.50 each, to which "iese fees were
to be charged. Mr.. Duggett thinks, how
ever, that the political organizations do this
work on credit, paying the bill presented
after election, although the clerk has no
authority to give credit to any one.
HOW THE MONEY NJ IN.
The fee for naturalizing a person who came
to this country prior to his eighteenth birth
day, and who may be naturalized without his
making the declaration of intention required
Of the first class. is 70 cents. The issuing of
!" second papers " to persons who have two
years previously made the formal declara-
tion OF intention entities the city to q fee Of
80 cents, and the fee for naturalizing persons
who have served the United States as sol
which case q years residence only is required)
is 80 cents. Another class Of business is the
making Of duplicates of the declaration for
persons who have lost the original, and for
this the law prescribes a fee Of rs cents.
All moneys received as fees for this variety
Of services should be paid over, together
with o detailed statement of the sources from
whence it was derived, to the City Chamber
lain.
A DEFICIT D~IscovERED.
Mr.. Duggett found an apparent deficit of
$42l.O 4 in 1885, and OF $71 for the first half Of
""But," he adds, " this is to be increased
by the amoun received for duplication of
naturalization and declarations. which are
used IN other courtt and for which there are
no vouchers"
II Is subject toa decrease, however, by the
number Of declarations and naturalization
for which Mr.. Jarvis alleges no fee was
charged, although the law says that the fees
should be charged and the clerk has 40 right
to perform the work without pay.
NO voucHIR ON L
Mr.. Duggett says. ~ think Mr.. Jarvis IL
| CharpeAbIe for the whole dafcjt He has no
right to perform official services, for which Q
fee Is lawfully collectible for the benefit OF
the city, and fail to collect the fee."
No vouchers are on file in the clerks ONCE